— Staff Profiles —

Tom Stinson-Wesley - Senior Pastor

Tom was born in Lexington, Ky. He received his bachelor’s degree from Centre College in Danville, Ky., in 1988, and his Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., in 1992.

He served as a student intern pastor on the Cherokee County circuits in Murphy, N.C., and at Salem United Methodist Church in Morganton, N.C. Tom was an intern chaplain at the Western Carolina Center (now called The Riddle Center) in Morganton and at Duke Hospital in Durham.

In 1997, Tom served as the English editor at the Center for Social Development in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Tom has been active in each of the communities he’s served. In Asheboro, he was a board member and secretary of the Family Crisis Center, Civil Air Patrol Chaplain and a volunteer at the Christian United Outreach Center. In Morganton, he was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Burke-Sunrise and a board member of the Career and Personal Counseling Service. Tom served as president of the Morganton Area Ministers Association and vice president of the Burke Ministers Alliance. He was a volunteer at Broughton Hospital and Burke United Christian Ministries. Today, he volunteers at Pineville Elementary School and the Upward Basketball Camp and League.

Tom is married to Amelia Stinson-Wesley, also an ordained United Methodist Minister and director of World Connections for Women, a nonprofit organization. They have two children, Kyra and Evan.

Elaine Treece - Assistant Pastor/Director of Discipleship

Elaine has dedicated her life to education. She particularly enjoys exploring the Word through small group Bible studies, developing spiritual questions and talking to people about their faith. At Pineville UMC, Elaine is involved in our growing Sunday School program; group Bible studies including Disciple classes and Vacation Bible School; and our older adult ministry.

She was born in Bennettsville, S.C. and was raised in Rockingham, N.C. Elaine received a Bachelor of Arts in history and education from Meredith College in 1969 and received a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May 2009.

Before joining the Pineville UMC staff in 1992, Elaine served the Scotland County School System as a secondary school teacher from 1969 –1971. She joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System in 1972 and taught at Eastway Middle, East Mecklenburg High and Olympic High schools until 1976.

From 1979 – 1981, Elaine served as co-director and teacher of Pineville UMC’s playschool. She worked as a teacher at Sharon Presbyterian Church’s Weekday School from 1983 – 1984 and again from 1990 – 1992.

She and husband Max, retired from Duke Energy, have three children, Zeb (and wife Hope), Amy and Ben, and three granddaughters.

Eric Lanier - Assistant Pastor/Director of Pastoral Care

Eric joined Pineville UMC’s ministerial family in 2007.

He was born in Rocky Mount, N.C. and is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., from which he received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science. Eric received his Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2007.

Eric has a long career in human resources, serving in positions with Mecklenburg County and at UNC Charlotte.

He is married to Melanie, a teacher, and they have two children, Erin, a social worker; and Jeremy, a graduate of NCSU and works at UNCC.

Jesse Roberts - Director of Music Ministry - Traditional

Jesse Roberts is a native of Rutherfordton, NC, but now makes his home in Charlotte. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate who works full-time with Lifeshare of the Carolinas - an organization that facilitates the organ, eye and tissue donation processes. He also owns a small private practice and teaches graduate level courses in Mental Health Counseling for his alma mater - Gardner-Webb University.

Jesse has played the piano since he was 12 and took piano and organ lessons at the collegiate leve in his time at Gardner-Webb. He comes to PUMC after having served four other churches in Western NC and has a passion for serving the Church through music.

Charlene Miranda Thomas - Director of Music Ministry - Contemporary

Charlene Miranda Thomas is a Christian performing artist whose sole mission is to use her creative and spiritual gifts to do what God has called all His disciples to do-to serve others and help those in need. She has over twenty-five years of experience teaching, directing, and leading worship. She has been teaching voice, piano, choir and musical theater. She continues to use her artistic gifts, creativity, knowledge and passion as a teaching artist for various schools, churches and arts organizations.

Charlene is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She began playing the piano at the tender age of 5. She was a piano major at the High School of Performing Arts. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where she earned her Bachelors of Music. She also earned a Masters in Music Education from Columbia University. Charlene has extensive experience leading choirs and worship teams. She was a youth choir director for many years in New York City. Charlene continues to sing with the praise team at Carmel Baptist Church and performs jazz occasionally, writes music and still auditions for that "dream role" every now and again when the opportunity arises. Charlene Thomas lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband Ted, and her two children.

Stephanie Jenkins - Director of Youth Ministries

Stephanie was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2000 with two degrees: one in Accounting Information Systems and one in Communications. After college, she moved to NYC to work in the film and television industry. After working on short films for Sesame Street and promos for NBC Sports, Stephanie moved to North Carolina to work for ESPN in 2002. She called Pineville UMC home in August of 2005 and began volunteering with the youth group while working for ESPN. Stephanie continued to volunteer for six more years before leaving ESPN for the position as Pineville UMC's Youth Director in 2011. Stephanie is married to her husband Lee, and has two children, Ellen and Quint. They also share their home with a cat and 2 dogs. She enjoys watching college football, playing softball, and playing with her children.

Kathy Marshall - Administrative Assistant

Kathy was born in Dayton, Ohio, She has called Charlotte, NC her home for over 20 years. Kathy is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College with a degree in Liberal Studies and Theology. She was an Administrative Assistant for Mount Olive Presbyterian Church for many years. Kathy is also a member of the Coordinating Team for the Presbyterian Women of the Mid- Atlantic. She is married to Joseph and they have four daughters Victoria, Katrina, JoAnna, and Jaclyn.

Quicklinks

This Sunday,February 24, 2019, Rev. Tom Stinson-Wesley will conclude his sermon series with "Community" "Love" based on Luke 6: 27-38. Other scripture readings are Psalm 37: 1-11, 39-40,1 Corinthians 15: 35-38, 42-50,Genesis 45: 3-11, 15. There will be Communion and Children's Time at both services and nursery for children 4 years old and younger.